Directions: The Power of Forgiveness, Originally released 6/30/2009
Enjoy this edition of Directions featuring the ministry of New Zealand. You can learn more about AFCI's ministry in this country by visiting the AFCI New Zealand Nation Page.
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Lincoln Badger, AFCI National Director for New Zealand, noticed a middle aged man sitting in the church foyer outside the children’s Sunday school hall, reading a daily devotional. Lincoln didn’t recognize him, but that’s not unusual in a large church. He assumed the man was waiting for his children. But when everyone had left and gone home, he noticed the man was still sitting there reading.
Lincoln sat down to talk with him and learned his name was Stephen. He was visiting New Zealand on vacation from Denmark and had walked in off the street on impulse, detouring from a walk to his sister’s home to vent 40 years of anger at his father.
Lincoln shared the good news of the Gospel and God’s love with him. Stephen claimed he had received Christ several times but it never lasted or worked for him. Lincoln suggested he needed to forgive his dad, and allow God to heal the wounds in his life. Then he prayed for Stephen and invited him to pray, but he refused. Lincoln and his wife Rhonda invited him back to their home for lunch, lingering to talk afterwards for about 4 hours.
Later that week Stephen came back to Lincoln’s home. He told Lincoln that he had finally forgiven his dad, and that his dad had told him how much he loved him. He explained that he now understood the unconditional love of God, and asked if he could pray with them!
REFLECTION
to their children, and the hearts of the children
to their parents. Otherwise I will come and strike
the land with a curse.
Malachi 4:6 (NLT)
Family divisions are a curse that withers lives and shrivels hopes. The storing up of bitterness and resentments poisons subsequent generations.
God tells Malachi that one of the signs of the coming of the Kingdom will be a softening of hearts within families. In Jesus, parents and children will be reconciled and will love each other with God’s self-giving love. This is one of the most powerful witnesses to the reality of transformation in Christ. Forgiveness sets us free to receive the fullness of Christ. Are there divisions or old resentments in your family that need the healing touch of reconciliation in Jesus?